As a responsible homeowner such as yourself, it is in your to-do list for the month to do a general clean-up in your house. This is just a part of the monthly grind to keep your house free from dirt that may cause illnesses to the ones that live in it, apart from it being comfortable and pleasing enough for your friends and guests who decide to swing by. Speaking of people who swing by, one of the first things that defines the cleanliness of your house is how it looks on the outside. Cleaning the exterior is a huge task and it usually requires pressured water to get rid of some of the dirt that can’t be easily removed.

However, pressured water may not always be the tool for the job. If used incorrectly, it may end up damaging some of the material that can be usually found outside the house. Pressurized water is not a universal solution, the right tool and method to use all depends on the kind of house you live in and the type of cleaning that needs to be done. For instance, if your opponent is just a light layer of top dirt or dust from the road, this should be easily cleaned by a regular hose, or depending on where you live, you can always rely on the precipitation levels in your area and let Mother Nature do the housework for you. But if your house has sturdy siding like vinyl, then the pressurized water can do wonders for that.

If you think you’d be needing to do a pressure wash at least once a year then it may be best if you invest in a good set of hose. There are hose rentals out there but if you are looking to use it regularly, then you can save better if you get one of your own. There is also the case of reaching hard to reach areas of your house like your roof. If you are unable to reach certain sections of your house, then hiring an expert may be the best option for you. Also, don’t forget to keep pets and children away from the area before starting as the pressure of the water could be dangerous for them. This means to also close all windows and doors to avoid the water getting in. That being said, it’s really important for you not to underestimate the power of a pressured washer. The pressured washer has so much power in it that it could be dangerous if not handled correctly and cautiously. The water is powerful enough that it can cut through skin and break windows. So this cannot be stated enough: keep children and pets and just anyone who can get in the way of you cleaning with the pressure washer.

It’s also best to use soap or any other cleaning agent that can help do the job, especially in getting rid of those mold, mildew and dark spots on the walls driveways and garage door panels and on the footpath. It’s also important to keep in mind that pressured washers are measured in degrees. Those that shoot in the narrowest hole, obviously, produces the most pressure. That is 0 on the scale. For typical home use, 40 would just be about right and you can adjust that down to a 25 if necessary.

When spraying, keep it on a downward angle. Remember that the siding protects your house from the weather that comes from above. Directing your angle to the side only makes it dangerous for the material that makes up your siding since it’s not built to withstand such a pressure from that angle. Avoid spraying through the cracks and seams of your walls, garage doors, and siding as water can be trapped in it and damage the material. Another good tip is before using the washer all the way, take a small sample from the ground or the wall and use the pressurized washer on the lowest setting and then look for any damages right after. If some sort of damage can be found, it may be best to switch to the good old garden hose. If none can be found then continue on with the rest of the house.

As mentioned, the material of your sidings play a crucial factor on whether or not you should use a power tool like a pressure washer. If your walls are made of stucco, delicate wood or brick, then you should not use a pressure washer. The best tools for cleaning these are your hands, a good brush and your ordinary garden hose. That does not mean you can’t get a less powered version of a pressure washer though. In some hardware stores, they sell specialized nozzles which you can attach to your garden hose that makes it more efficient in cleaning.

About the Author

Social Share

Get an Estimate

Phone*

Email*

Name*

Contact me by*

City or Intersection*

Service of Interest..*

Details*

Door Doctor Inc.

As a garage door company Door Doctor was founded in 1988 in the Greater Toronto area. Located close to Markham we have since expanded our services to include two additional locations; one in Barrie, serving the Simcoe area, and the other in Oshawa, servicing the Durham area.